Cameroonians killed in Boko Haram attacks

Boko Haram is suspected of killing at least 16 people and burning down 60 homes in villages on Cameroon’s northern border with Nigeria, close to where the militants still hold positions. Esaje Djewed, a witness, told World Watch Monitor that there were some Christians among the dead.

Another witness, Maina Gabriel, met local villagers escaping from the fighting. They told him they fled as soon as the attackers arrived and started setting houses on fire. “They recounted that they had seen flames from afar, and decided to run for their lives,” he said.

Two Cameroonian soldiers were also killed in further encounters along the border in the past week. According to the security forces, the troops had been ambushed while on patrol. “The Nigerian army is striking Boko Haram’s positions almost every day, while the terrorists are trying their hardest to cross over to our side,” a source in Cameroon said.

Cameroon has supported Nigeria in a series of victories against Boko Haram over the last few months.